Why People are Homeless:

  • The wait list for affordable housing is years long even if you have a job
  • Many people work every day and still can't afford a place to live.
  • Some people who suffer from mental illness are not able to take care of themselves and have trouble navigating resources. 
  • Some people have had personal disasters such as accidents or illnesses and lost all their savings.
  • Women may have left their homes because they were victims of abuse and domestic violence.
  • Some have been in jail and can't get a job or rent an apartment because no one will hire them or allow them to stay.

12 Things You Can Do:

Organizations

in the Bay Area

Where You Can

Support/Volunteer
  1. Research homelessness in your local area. 
  2. Donate supplies such as clothing, books, blankets and socks
  3. Create and distribute survival kits  that include such things as shampoo, toothbrushes
  4. Organize drives for blankets, coats, hats, scarves, raincoats.
  5. Donate computers and printers that you don't need to non-profits.
  6. Encourage your company to give a homeless person a chance.
  7. Raise funds for a program
  8. Considering giving directly to the homeless in the way of money for transportation, gift cards to a fast food restaurant, granola bars, fruit.
  9. Smile.  Don't look away, say a few words, reaffirm the humanity of a homeless person
  10. Read:  Panhandling:  A little Understanding
  11. MAKE A DIFFERENCE  by contributing, advocating, volunteering and educating. 
  12. Support SF MAD by buying a sticker. 
  1. Abode Services  Fremont
  2. Bill Wilson Center  Santa Clara County
  3. Coalition on Homelessness   San Francisco
  4. Central City Hospitality House.   San Francisco
  5. Community Housing Partnership  San Francisco
  6. Destination Home  San Francisco
  7. Episcopal Community Services  San Francisco
  8. Everyone Home   Alameda
  9. Foodrunners:  San Francisco
  10. Glide Memorial  San Francisco
  11. Hamilton Family Center  San Francisco
  12. Home First   Santa Clara County
  13. Homeless Prenatal Program  San Francisco
  14. Innvision Shelter Network   San Mateo
  15. Jobtrain East Menlo Park  
  16. Larkin Street Youth Services   San Francisco
  17. Martin de Poores House of Hospitality  San Francisco
  18. Mercy Housing  San Francisco
  19. Project Homeless Connect  San Francisco
  20. Shelter.Inc  Concord
  21. Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corp  SF

Check out additional organizations and reviews by Philanthropedia